Record of Determination fo a Partial and Temporary Closure of a Portion of the National Mall and Memorial Park for Turf Restoration

The National Mall is among the most visited and recognizable landscapes in the National Park System and is often referred to as “America’s Front Yard.” The condition and appearance of its turf are important to the visitor experience, the historic character of the landscape, and the continued use of the National Mall for permitted events and public gatherings.

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5, the National Park Service is imposing a temporary closure and public use limitation of The Mall Center turf and Tree panels between 3^rd – 14^th Streets for turf restoration resulting from the semi-quincentennial events for the Freedom 250 for the Great American State Fair and Grand Prix, as delineated in the map below and as further delineated by signage, fencing or other physical barriers. Violation is prohibited.

Specifically, the following The Mall Center and Tree panels will be closed for turf restoration from 6:00 am on September 1, 2026, until 5:00 pm on January 24, 2027:

• Center Turf Panels: 29,24,22,20,18, and 16
• Tree Panels: 1,3,5,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,33,35,37,38,39,40,42, and 43

In addition, the following The Mall Center Panels will close for turf restoration from 6:00 am on September 16, 2026 until 5:00 pm on January 24, 2027:

• Center Turf Panels: 31 and 27

The Center Turf Panels and Tree Panels of The Mall require significant restoration due to wear, soil compaction, turf loss, and damage associated with recent permitted events and sustained high levels of public use. The restoration work will include repair of damaged irrigation infrastructure, extensive decompaction of compacted soils, aeration and other soil preparation, topdressing and soil amendments as necessary, seeding and/or other turf establishment activities, sodding, fertilization, watering, and continued turf maintenance during the establishment period. These treatments are necessary to restore healthy soil conditions, improve drainage and root development, reestablish uniform turf coverage, and return the landscape to a safe, functional, and visually acceptable condition.

Temporary closure of all affected Center Turf and Tree Panels is necessary for the restoration work to be successful. Continued pedestrian traffic and event use during the rehabilitation and establishment period would further compact the soil, interfere with irrigation and restoration activities, damage newly established turf, and significantly reduce the likelihood of successful recovery. The affected turf areas will therefore remain fully closed during the remediation and turf establishment period until conditions are suitable for reopening to the public.

It is anticipated that this turf and tree restoration project will require the use of on-site equipment including heavy machinery such as forklifts, large delivery trucks, and like mobile vehicles; power tools. These items, if unsecured, pose a danger to the public.

Because the restoration and associated activities do not reasonably permit multiple occupancy of the impacted areas, the general public and events will not be allowed in the closed fenced sections of The Mall. Once any areas are fenced and closed, persons should immediately remove themselves and any personal property from the closed area. This temporary and partial closure is not of a nature, magnitude and duration that will result in a “significant alteration in the public use pattern.” Indeed, a portion of The Mall hardscape areas will remain open during the period of the project as well as nearby park areas will remain open to the public and for demonstration and special event activities.

Restoring these areas is necessary to protect the National Mall’s significant cultural landscape and to ensure that the turf can continue to support the exceptionally high levels of visitation and permitted use associated with this nationally significant public space.

The closure will not adversely affect the park’s natural, aesthetic, or cultural values. Rather, the temporary closure will support the protection and restoration of these values by allowing damaged and heavily compacted turf areas to recover.

Accordingly, the National Park Service determines that publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register, is unwarranted per 36 C.F.R. § l.5(c). This finding is consistent with hundreds of earlier partial and temporary park closures, the legal opinion of the Office of the Solicitor, and judicial adjudications. Picciotto v. United States. No. 99-2113 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. United States, No. 94-1935 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. Lulan, No. 90-1261 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. Hodel, No. 87-3290 (D.D.C.); Spiegel v. Babbitt, 855 F.Supp. 402 (D.D.C. 1994), affld in part w/o op. 56 F.3d 1531 (D.C. Cir. 1995). Pursuant to 36 C.F.R.§ 1.7, notice of this temporary and partial closure will be made through fencing and posting of signs at conspicuous locations in the affected park area. Finally, pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c), this determination is available to the public upon request.


Kevin L. Griess /s/ 8/11/2026
Superintendent

 

Closed Center Panels

 

Closed Tree Panels

 

Mall Turf Closure Map